Page 62 of A Realm of Dark Fury

I swallowed hard. “Yes, I had wondered how it would feel for you.”

“You don’t need to think about that right now.” Rook ran his hands through his hair and shook his head.

“Well, I do.” I wanted to reach out and touch him, but the guards seemed even more attentive than usual. I had to wonder if our chess game in the library had done the rounds in palace gossip. Theron’s performance in my room had spooked me, and I didn’t want to give anyone any ammunition. But Rook’s face was overcome with pain, and I couldn’t stand it. “I’m sorry. For what my father did. For abandoning you, your people.”

Rook gave me a sad smile, and reached a hand out, his fingertips brushing my jaw for a moment. “Don’t apologize for him. He was a father trying to protect his child.”

“At the cost of a whole kingdom?” I shook my head. “That’s not good enough. Your people suffered, you lost your freedom. You might have won if he’d stayed.”

“Keep your voice down.” Rook’s eyes flashed around us. “That’s treason right there, princess.”

“I don’t care.” I stepped closer to him, our bodies almost touching. “I’m sorry. It should never have happened. You said you lost everything.”

“You need to train.” Rook walked away from me, to the wooden rack holding the weapons, and took two swords down. “I want you ready so I don’t have to watch you die tomorrow.”

“You’re avoiding the conversation.” I said as he handed me a weapon.

“Fucking right I am.” He brandished his sword, his blue eyes fixed on me. “Now, hit me with everything you have.”

I knew what he was doing. Exactly what I had done, the night he’d asked about my mother. I didn’t want to cause him pain, so I did what he wanted. I took a deep breath, and rushed at him, swinging the blade into his.

It was like a dance, and he moved so lightly on his feet, in a way no one would ever suspect looking at him. Our swords clanged against each other, long scrapes as we deflected one hit after another.

“You’re good.” Rook grinned at me.

“You keep telling me I am.”

“You just need to believe it.” Our blades crossed, and he pushed against mine, our faces only a few inches apart. “You can do this. No matter what he throws at you, you can do it.”

I broke his hold on my weapon, spinning my back to him and striking backwards. He laughed as he dodged me, and I spun the sword in my hand to come to land at the base of his throat as he moved around in front of me.

He looked down at the sword, holding his arms out beside him. “And I’m dead.”

“Yes you are.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You’re extraordinary.”

I threw the sword down. “No I’m not.” I stalked away and he was right on my heels.

“What’s this now?’” He reached out and took my arm, spinning me to look at him. “Hey, what’s this?”

“You think Theron is going to make these trials easier? You think he’s just going to send me in with a single griffin each time?”

“Of course he won’t.”

I threw my hands up. “Exactly. I have no idea what’s coming, and I’m supposed to prepare for that?” I turned away and stormed into the stables adjoining the training arena, stopping by the guard at the door. “Don’t fucking follow me in there.” I said to him, pointing my finger in his face. He was so shocked he merely nodded.

Rook’s heavy footfalls pursued me into the stable. “Elara, you’re going to be alright.”

“And I might not be. I might die tomorrow.”

Rook’s hand was on my arm again, spinning me to face him. “Stop saying that.”

“Why?” I shook my head. “What chance do I have?”

“Every fucking chance!” Rook grasped my shoulders. “You need to stop thinking about everything you don’t know and start thinking about everything you do.”

“And what do I know, Rook?”

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